Political parties in Maharashtra are in a huddle as they brainstorm over seat-sharing, with the announcement of Lok Sabha polls just days away. Sources have told News18 that Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi’s Prakash Ambedkar has given a list of 27 seats to state’s opposition grouping, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). He is not ready to tell how much he can compromise, a source said.
Ambedkar has reportedly demanded such seats where either MVA candidate had won or finished second during the last Lok Sabha elections. The Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has asked Ambedkar to tell on which seats he’s absolutely confident of winning.
Sources said that Ambedkar told MVA that his party has done its preparation on all 27 seats, which they are claiming.
A report in India Today stated that of the Lok Sabha seats that VBA chief has proposed, he is insistent on Akola, Dindori, Ramtek, Amravati, and one seat in Mumbai.
On Saturday, March 9, Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and Congress state leadership are expected to hold ralks with Ambedkar again and try to convince him to cut down the number of seats which he is demanding.
So far, the MVA has also not given their counter offer to Ambedkar. They may make an offer during Saturday’s meeting.
He has reportedly also demanded written commitments of no ties with the BJP either before of after the Lok Sabha elections.
Team BJP’s Plan for Maharashtra
Meanwhile, sources told News18 that Maharashtra’s NDA seat-sharing formula will be decided soon. The formula is likely to be declared either by March 10 or 11.
Of the six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, five may be fought by BJP and one by Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
In Mumbai, the Shinde faction is struggling to get even one seat in its kitty. Hectic discussions are going on even for that, sources said, adding that getting Rahul Shewale’s name (presently Lok Sabha member from the Mumbai South Central constituency) cleared may also not be easy for his seat.
Most of BJP’s sitting MPs are likely to continue, except Poonam Mahajan. Her seat likely to go to Ashish Shelar, sources further told News18.
BJP will take the South Mumbai seat which was with Shiv Sena last time. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar can get ticket, sources said, adding that Manoj Kotak is likely to continue from North East Mumbai
North-west seat too in contest between Shinde and BJP, and this may go to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
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